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Design: The Definitive Visual History lays out the complete evolution of design, from its origins in early cultures to the contemporary design — physical and digital — of today. This comprehensive volume covers every major design movement, along with the iconic designers and manufacturers who influenced everyday life through the objects and buildings they created.

Arranged chronologically, Design moves decade-by-decade from the 1850s onward to explore the cultural, social, political, economic, and technological forces in the world at large and shows how these factors influenced movements and styles in design. Gorgeous catalogues of objects demonstrate how design in turn has influenced the everyday life, through architecture, fashion, furniture, ceramics, glassware, lighting, fabrics, electronic equipment, and more.

With profiles of famous designers such as Alvar Aalto, Frank Gehry, and Philippe Starck and stunning images of buildings and interiors, Design: The Definitive Visual History is a true celebration of classic design across the centuries.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Inexpensive, concise, and lavishly illustrated, this book is recommended for any library." — Booklist (Starred Review)

"…luxurious visuals that include timelines, historical photos, designer portraits and a tremendous selection of products and art." — Columbus Dispatch

"Flip through pages showcasing the evolution of telephones, armchairs, word processors, and more … For anyone looking to bridge a generation gap, visuals are always a good way to go and the visuals in this book are stunning." — Forbes.com

Top customer reviews

The dates on some of these movements are a bit off. Art Deco is a very French style - it originated in France around 1909 - yet much of the Art Deco section is dominated by the German inspired streamline design which was promoted heavily by American Designers. Also the dates 1919 - 1939 should be 1909 or 1910 - 1939. Alastair Duncan's book "Art Deco furniture" describe this perfectly - " The First World War is generally seen to be the dividing line between Art Nouveau and Art Deco furniture styles, but the latter was in fact conceived in the pre - war transitional years of 1905 to 1910. Many furniture pieces accepted as pure Art Deco - especially pieces by Gray, Ruhlmann, Iribe and Follot- were designed before the outbreak of the war (WW1).... The movement cannot therefore be rigidly defined within the years 1920 and 1930, as it usually is. Its inception was earlier as was its decline". Also 1880 is a bit too early for Art Nouveau - it wasn't a unified movement till the early 1890s . Better dates to describe mid century modern would be 1945 to 1965, ending it at 1960 is too early. I know it's not an in depth book , but I think these dates - especially for Art Deco - are very important in terms of understanding these movements or styles.

Best book I have ever seen on the design of an extraordinarily wide range of works from 1850 to the present! Extraordinary photos, wonderful biographies of key designers, clear and intelligent grouping of works into eras and styles. Awesome diversity, including almost every aspect of items shaping our lives: furniture, lights, appliances, tableware, transportation, decorative pottery, cameras, clocks, fabrics, wallpaper, posters, typewriters, jewelry, radios, coffee/tea kettles, and on and on seemingly endlessly. All are clearly documented by time and designer, with a wonderful separate A to Z compendium of designer biographies at the very end of the book. If you like design of everyday objects, you will love this book.